You might have heard some new buzz words in the health scene recently such as Ayurveda, turmeric, maca and ashwaganda, but why are they so popular? And what do they do?

These ingredients are all-natural primary ingredients of what people call ‘functional food’.

According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, functional foods are those that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition, often said to promote optimal health and help reduce the risk of disease.

In the bustle of our everyday modern lives we’re becoming increasingly time poor and demanding with our products, now it isn’t just enough to have a nice tasting drink but we want a drink that is also a prebiotic, we want our food and drink to do more and thanks to a lot of brands out there harnessing the power of nature, we can.

This new trend of functional food shows how more brands are turning away from processed and synthetic additives and instead are understanding the power of ancient remedies, returning to these traditional and all natural ingredients to enhance our modern diet.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic medicine, also known as Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical system. Originating in India, Ayurveda has evolved over thousands of years and is based on ancient writings that prescribe a natural and holistic approach to mental and physical health. It has also been shown to help reduce pain and increase function for people with osteoarthritis and help manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.

What is an adaptogen?

Adaptogens are herb sand plants used for their alternative medicinal properties.

Ashwaganda

A type of ayurvedic medicine used as an ancient remedy, ashwaganda has been around for over 2000 years. With benefits shown from promoting a healthy brain, immune system and even help with stress relief – helping to regulate the bodies stress hormone cortisol, which can in turn potentially help to sooth adrenal fatigue.

Maca

Similarly to the ancient roots of Ayurveda, maca is a Peruvian plant that has been cultivated for thousands of years and has been used for centuries in the Andes for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. Studies showing its benefits for fertility, learning and memory, to name a few. According to the US National Library of Medicine.